De Mon. Well, I am ready, sir. De Mon. (catching hold of her with a look of horror.) Not there-not there-the corpse (Approaching Jane, whom the Abbess is endeavouring to comfort, but to no purpose.) Jane. What, lies he there?-Unhappy Rezen-Ah! wherefore thus! most honour'd and most dear? velt? Shrink not at the accoutrements of ill, De Mon. A sudden thought has come across my Daring the thing itself. mind; How came it not before? Unhappy Rezenvelt! Sayst thou but this? (Endeavouring to look cheerful.) Wiit thou permit me with a gyved hand? (She gives her hand, which he raises to his lips.) Jane. What should I say? he was an honest This was my proudest office. man; I still have thought him such, as such lament him. [EXEUNT, De Monfort leading out Jane. ING INTO ANOTHER ROOM, WHOSE LOW, ARCHED (De Monfort utters a deep groan.) SCENE V.-AN APARTMENT IN THE CONVENT, OPENWhat means this heavy groan? De Mon. It hath a meaning. Enter ABBESS and MONKS, with two OFFICERS of justice carrying fetters in their hands to put upon DE MONFORT. Jane. (starting.) What men are these? 1st Off. Lady, we are the servants of the law, And bear with us a power, which doth constrain To bind with fetters this our prisoner. Enter another Monk, who, on perceiving him, stops till he rises from his knees, and then goes eagerly up to him. (Pointing to De Monfort.) Is Jane. A stranger uncondemn'd? this cannot be. 1st Off. As yet, indeed, he is by law unjudged, But is so far condemn'd by circumstance, That law, or custom sacred held as law, Doth fully warrant us, and it must be. Jane. Nay, say not so; he has no power t' escape: Distress hath bound him with a heavy chain; There is no need of yours. 1st Off. We must perform our office. Jane. O! do not offer this indignity! 1st Off. Is it indignity in sacred law 1st Monk. How is the prisoner? 2d Monk. (pointing to the door.) He is within, 1st Monk. How is this, good brother? 2d Monk. Yes, with heroic courage, for a while To bind a murderer? (To 2d Officer.) Come, do thy God grant his pains be short! De Mon. (to Jane.) Stand thou erect in native Is wrapp'd in sable clouds; the chill blast sounds dignity; And bend to none on earth the suppliant knee, And, if they are too light, bring heavier chains. Like dismal lamentations. Ay, who knows (A long pause, whilst they put irons upon him. 1st Off. I have it, too, in charge to move you hence, (To De Monfort.) Into another chamber more secure. (A groan heard within.) 1st Monk. It is the dying man. (Another groan.) (Listening at the door.) 2d Monk. God grant him rest! With all its pangs and horrors I have seen, I would move hence, but I am weak and faint: (Leans on second Monk: a pause.) Enter BERNARD from the chamber. 2d Monk. (to Bern.) How is your penitent? The soul of man: before whose awful presence (Bell tolls.) The dismal sound! Retire and pray for the blood-stain'd soul: Enter MANUEL and JEROME. Man. (pointing.) Here, my good Jerome, here's a piteous sight. Jer. A piteous sight! yet I will look upon him: I'll see his face in death. Alas, alas! I've seen him move a noble gentleman; And when with vexing passion undisturb'd, He look'd most graciously. (Lifts up in mistake the cloth from the body of Rezervelt, and starts back with horror.) Oh! this was the bloody work! Oh, oh! oh, oh That human hands could do it! (Drops the cloth again., Man. That is the murder'd corpse; here lies De Monfort. (Going to uncover the other body.) Jer. (turning away his head.) No, no! I cannot lock upon him now. Man. Didst thou not come to see him? Bern. (To Jer.) Well dost thou show the abhorrence nature feels For deeds of blood, and I commend thee well. May heaven have mercy on him! (Bell tolls again.) For one, who, from the hand of fellow man, [EXEUNT. Hath felt such cruelty. SCENE VI.-A HALL OR LARGE ROOM IN THE CON- (Uncovering the body of De Monfort) Here lies the murderer. What think'st thou here? Abb. (to Freb.) Here must they lie, my lord, With the last dreadful conflict of despair, until we know Respecting this the order of the law. Freb. And you have wisely done, my reverend mother. (Goes to the table, and looks at the bodies, but without uncovering them.) Unhappy men! ye, both in nature rich, So fix'd in horrid strength. See those knit brows; those hollow sunken eyes; The sharpen'd nose, with nostrils all distent; That writhed mouth, where yet the teeth appear, In agony, to gnash the nether lip. Think'st thou, less painful than the murderer's knife Was such a death as this Ay, and how changed too those matted locks! Jer. Merciful heaven! his hair is grisly grown, Changed to white age, that was, but too days since, Black as the raven's plume. How may this be? Bern. Such change, from violent conflict of the mind, Will sometimes come. Jer. Alas, alas! most wretched! Whom heaven commands to love? Low are ye Thou wert too good to do a cruel deed, laid: And so it kill'd thee. Thou hast suffer'd for it. God rest thy soul! I needs must touch thy hand, And bid thee long farewell. (Laying his hand on De Monfort.) Bern. Draw back, draw back; see where the lady comes. Enter JANE DE MONFORT. 'Freberg, who has been for some time retired by himself to the bottom of the stage, now steps forward to lead her in, but checks himself on seeing the fixed sorrow of her countenance, and draws back respectfully. Jane advances to the table, and looks attentively at the covered bodies. Manuel points out the body of De Monfort, and she gives a gentle inclination of the head, to signify that she understands him. She then bends tenderly over it, without speaking. Man. (to Jane, as she raises her head.) O, madam! my good lord. Jane. Well says thy love, my good and faithful Manuel; But we must mourn in silence. Man. Alas! the times that I have follow'd him! Jane. Forbear, my faithful Manuel. For this love Thou hast my grateful thanks; and here's my hand: Thou hast loved him, and I'll remember thee. I will remember thee. Man. Nay, by the living God! where'er you are, There will I be. I'll prove a trusty servant: I'll follow you, even to the world's end. My master's gone; and I indeed am mean, Yet will I show the strength of nobler men, Should any dare upon your honour'd worth To put the slightest wrong. Leave you, dear lady! Kill me, but say not this! (Throwing himself at her feet.) Jane. (raising him.) Well, then! be thou my servant, and my friend. Art thou, good Jerome, too, in kindness come? Man. (to Off.) Hold thy unrighteous tongue, of hie thee hence, Nor, in the presence of this honour'd dame, 1st Off. I am an officer on duty call'd, And have authority to say, "How died he " (Here Jane shakes off the weakness of grief, ana repressing Manuel, who is about to reply to the Officer, steps forward with dignity.) Jane. Tell them, by whose authority you come He died that death which best becomes a man Who is with keenest sense of conscious ill And deep remorse assail'd, a wounded spirit: A death that kills the noble and the brave, And only them. He had no other wound. 1st Off. And shall I trust to this? Jane. Do as thou wilt To one who can suspect my simple word I have no more reply. Fulfil thine office. 1st Off. No, lady, I believe your honoured word, And will no further search. Jane. I thank your courtesy: thanks, thanks to all. My reverend mother, and ye honour'd maids; Would I could serve you with a young man's And now I have a sad request to make, strength! I'd spend my life for you. Jane. Freb. In every sensible and generous breast And even a worship pays. Jane. Nay, Freberg, Freberg! grieve me not, my friend. He to whose ear my praise most welcome was, The voice of praise was wont to name us both; (Covers her face with her hands, and bursts into tears. Here they all hang about her: Freberg supporting her tenderly. Manual embracing her knees, and old Jerome catching hold of her robe affectionately. Bernard, Abbess, Monks, and Nuns, likewise, gather round her, with looks of sympathy.) into our hands he straight must be consign'd. Bern. He is not subject now to human laws; The prison that awaits him is the grave. Nor will these holy sisters scorn my boon: Enter SULPICIUS and ORCERES by opposite sides. Sul. So soon return'd!--I read not in thy face 1st Off. Ha! say'st thou so? there is foul play in Aught to encourage or depress my wishes. this. How is it, noble friend? Ore. E'en as it was e'er I received my mission. Cordenius Maro is on public duty; I have not seen him.-When he knows your offer His heart will bound with joy, like eaglet plumed Whose out-stretch'd pinions wheeling round and round, Shape their first circles in the sunny air. Sul. And with good cause. Orc. Methinks I see him now! A face with blushes mantling to the brow, Orc. Who brings she with her thus, as if compell'd By playful force? Sul. "Tis her Numidian page; a cunning imp, Who must be woo'd to do the thing he's proud of. Enter PORTIA, dragging SYPHAX after her, speaking as she enters. Por. Come in, deceitful thing!-I know thee well; Eyes with bright tears surcharged, and parted lips With all thy sly affected bashfulness, Quivering to utter joy which hath no words. Sul. His face, indeed, as I have heard thee say, As tenderness gives way to exultation! Sul. Art thou so well convinced- To all my wealth, had I suspected sooner, Orc. Thou scarcely know'st! Say certainly thou dost not. He is, to honest right, as simply true Sul. But is the public duty very urgent, Orc. The punishment of those poor Nazarenes, Who, in defiance of imperial power, To their forbidden faith and rites adhere Sul. A stubborn contumacy unaccountable ! But be it what it may, or good or ill, Sul. Cease; here comes Portia, with a careless face: She knows not yet the happiness that waits her. Thou't hold enough to sing in Cesar's court, With the whole senate present. (To Orc.) Prince of Parthia, I knew not you were here; but yet I guess Orc. How can it fail, fair Portia, so commended? Por. That tune, my father, Which you so oft have tried to recollect; SONG. The storm is gathering far and wide, And so, indeed, thou takest thy stand, Orc. The picture of some very noble hero Sul. So it should seem; one of the days of old. Por. And why of olden days? There liveth now The very man-a man-I mean to say, There may be found amongst our Roman youth, One, who in form and feelings may compare With him whose lofty virtues these few lines So well describe. Orc. Thou mean'st the lofty Gorbus. Por. Out on the noisy braggart! Arms without He hath, indeed, well burnish'd and well plumed, But the poor soul, within, is pluck'd and bare, Like any homely thing. Orc. Sertorius Galba then? For if he hath no lack of courage, certes, Orc. Perhaps thou mean'st Cordenius Maro, lady. Sul. Cease, sweet Portia ; Orc. Simplicity seen through a harmless wile, Sul. Let it no more be sung within my walls: Officers and Soldiers still remaining; the Officers on the front, and Cordenius apart from them in a thoughtful posture.) First Offi. Brave Varus marches boldly at the head Of that deluded band. Second Offi. Are these the men, who hateful In dens and deserts, courting, with enchantments, Third Offi. Ay, with rites Third Offi. I can believe all this or any thing First Offi. What demonry, thinkest thou, pos Second Offi. That is well urged. (To the other.) Alas, that I should see so brave a soldier First Offi. Viewing his keen, enliven❜d coun He is a man, who makes a show of valour (Turning away angrily to the back ground.) First Offi. Our chief, methinks, is in a fretful mood, Which is not usual with him. Second Offi. He did not seem to listen to our But see he gives the signal to proceed; Por. Go, then; there is in this no affectation: There's all the harden'd cruelty of man Lodged in that tiny form, child as thou art. [EXEUNT, severally. SCENE II. AN OPEN SQUARE WITH BUILDINGS. Enter CORDENIUS MARO, at the head of his SOLDIERS, who draw up on either side: then enters along procession of public Functionaries, &c. conducting MARTYRS to the place of execution, who, as they pass on, sing together in unison: one more noble than the others, SCENE III.—AN APARTMENT IN A PRIVATE HOUSE. walking first. SONG. A long farewell to sin and sorrow, To beam of day and evening shade! While mortal flesh in flame is bleeding, We leave the hated and the hating. The great, the good, the brave are waiting Earth's fated sounds our ears forsaking, [EXEUNT Martyrs, &c. &c. Cordenius with his [EXEUNT in order, whilst a chorus of Martyrs is heard at a distance.) |